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While the leading shale producer sees substantial growth ahead of it, boosting output is just a means to an end as the company looks to fulfill its purpose.

EOG Resources(NYSE:EOG) is arguably the best-positioned oil company for whatever lies ahead. Thanks to a plethora of low-cost, high-return drilling locations, the company can boost oil output by double digits going forward as long as oil is above $50 a barrel. That said, unlike many of its rivals, EOG's vision for the future is not focused solely on its ability to grow at lower oil prices. Instead, that is one of the companies four goals, designed to fulfill a single purpose according to CEO Bill Thomas, which is "to create significant long-term shareholder value." Here's how the company intends to do that.

Setting the stage

On EOG's last quarterly conference call, Thomas ended the company's prepared remarks with his outlook on the oil market, which fueled the company's vision for the future. While the oil market outlook was not exactly rosy in the near-term, with Thomas saying that the industry as a whole needs $60 oil to fuel growth, he noted that EOG thrives at just $50 oil, which puts in in a class all by itself. That said, because the industry needs higher oil prices just to match future demand, Thomas firmly believed prices would go higher by the end of 2017 due to shrinking supplies and rising demand. Though, it is worth noting that he had said this before OPEC shocked the oil market with its decision to cut output, which could lead to a more balanced oil market, and higher prices, much earlier in 2017.

Either way, EOG Resources has gotten itself into the position where it can grow production in the future at much lower prices than its peers. For example, at $50 a barrel the company can increase oil production by 15% compounded annually through 2020 while living within cash flow, which could accelerate to 25% compounded annually over the same time frame at $60 crude. Contrast this with similarly sized rival Occidental Petroleum(NYSE:OXY), which sees total output growing by 5% to 8% annually around current prices. Meanwhile, other producers like Encana(NYSE:ECA) and Pioneer Natural Resources(NYSE:PXD) need crude to be at least $55 per barrel in the future before they can drive robust growth while living within cash flow.

Image source: Getty Images.

Casting the vision

EOG's vision for 2017 through 2020 can be summed up with four goals, be the leader in return on capital employed, be the US leader in oil growth, be one of the lowest cost producers of global oil markets and remain committed to safety and the environment. EOG's long-term forecast has not wavered during the downturn. Our purpose is to create significant long-term shareholder value. As we enter a recovery, our unique and resilient culture has positioned the Company to achieve strong results for years to come.

As Thomas notes, the company has four goals, which will drive it toward the principal purpose of creating value for shareholders. One of those goals is to be a leader in return on capital employed, which is an aim it will achieve by drilling wells with the highest returns. That is why the company's focus going forward will be to drill premium locations, which are those that can earn a 30% after-tax rate of return at flat $40 oil.

This focus on returns is another area where EOG stands above its rivals. Using Occidental Petroleum again as an example, its return hurdle rate to invest capital going forward is a 15% return on capital employed for domestic projects and 20% for international projects. Meanwhile, the return criteria for one of Encana's premium wells is 35% after-tax at $50 oil. Those are lower return hurdles than EOG's.

That is not to say those drillers do not share EOG's focus to create significant long-term shareholder value. Quite the contrary because both desire that same aim, which is why Occidental and Encana have set strict return hurdles for new investments. However, at the end of the day, the strength of EOG's portfolio and operations puts it in the position to deliver faster growth and higher returns than its rivals, which should enable it to create more value for investors.

Investor takeaway

EOG Resources has a vision for the type of oil company it wants to be in the future. That company is one that will create tremendous value for investors because it will turn its vast inventory of low-cost, high return wells into robust cash flow growth in the years ahead. It will do so by leading the way in returns, growth, costs, and safety, which positions it to be an excellent oil stock to own in the years ahead.

Author

Matthew is a Senior Energy and Materials Specialist with The Motley Fool. He graduated from the Liberty University with a degree in Biblical Studies and a Masters of Business Administration. You can follow him on Twitter for the latest news and analysis of the energy and materials industries: Follow @matthewdilallo